After years of picking over the proverbial carcasses of failed Florida banks, buyers are back in the hunt for healthy lenders. Florida Shores-Southwest, a 6-year-old institution, may be the strongest bank sold in Florida since the onset of the Great Recession. More at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Sales and Marketing Advice for Florida business Satisfy the digital desire of your market to generate leads and loyalty

The modern digital consumer has complicated life for marketers. The way you reach and build relationships with prospective buyers has changed. Whether you actually sell online or not, turning your audience into paying customers is a challenge for the best of businesses today. Read Ron Stein's full column.

Competing for guests with the big brands and keeping a high occupancy level requires strategic marketing and top-notch service. Katja Janzon says she works hard to keep up with the newest trends and draw new and returning guests to her hotel, along with locals who host events such as weddings or brunches.

Marc Glazer knows the financial struggles of running a small business — his first one was selling equipment to print T-shirts. A serial entrepreneur, Glazer founded Business Financial Services in Coral Springs to help finance the corner pizzeria, the neighborhood auto repair shop and other mom and pop businesses throughout the United States. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Small Business Advice Exit planning should include retirement ideas

When talking about retirement, you need to plan for many things, from how your financial assets will be allocated to what you want to do to keep busy. There is no question in my mind that lack of adequate planning is the reason so many businesses struggle and sometimes fail after being handed off to the next generation. Read Jerry Osteryoung's full column.

Universal parks worth as much as $10 billion

So how much is Universal's theme-park business worth after three years of growth powered by Harry Potter, King Kong and Optimus Prime? As much as $10 billion. At least according to NBCUniversal President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Burke, who used the figure in a presentation last week to investment analysts at a conference in Beverly Hills, Calif. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Philanthropy A new way of thinking about charities

Entrepreneur and activist Dan Pallotta wants to free charities of restraints that keep them small and that leave huge social problems like homelessness unabated. He wants charities to be able to invest more in marketing, IT systems and other innovations — like businesses do, so they can scale up and make a bigger difference to communities.